Still-Life with Chinese Porcelain Bowl 1662

Willem Kalf's "Still-Life with Chinese Porcelain Bowl" from 1662 is a classic example of Dutch Golden Age still life painting. The composition is dark and shadowy, highlighting the texture of the objects with a single source of light. The centerpiece is a Chinese porcelain bowl, a popular object of fascination and status at the time, set on a table draped with rich fabrics. The inclusion of a half-peeled orange and a glass of wine further emphasizes the themes of wealth, abundance, and the fleeting nature of time. The painting is notable for its attention to detail and realistic depiction of light and shadow, which gives the objects a tangible presence.